Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03C—PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY
  • G03C1/00—Photosensitive materials
  • G03C1/72—Photosensitive compositions not covered by the groups G03C1/005 - G03C1/705
  • G03C1/73—Photosensitive compositions not covered by the groups G03C1/005 - G03C1/705 containing organic compounds
  • G03C1/733—Photosensitive compositions not covered by the groups G03C1/005 - G03C1/705 containing organic compounds with macromolecular compounds as photosensitive substances, e.g. photochromic
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • C09K9/00—Tenebrescent materials, i.e. materials for which the range of wavelengths for energy absorption is changed as a result of excitation by some form of energy
  • C09K9/02—Organic tenebrescent materials
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B1/00—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements
  • G02B1/04—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements made of organic materials, e.g. plastics
  • G02B1/041—Lenses

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a photochromic composition and a photochromic resin obtainable from the same.
• photochromic materials are used for various purposes such as recording materials and optical lenses.
• lenses for spectacles having photochromic properties have great popularity as lenses having a high added value because they are colorless or light-colored inside a room, but undergo a color change on irradiation by the sunlight.
• the spectacles can function as sunglasses.
• Photochromic lenses of the early stages contain silver halide and change to a quiet color such as gray or brown.
• lenses made of glass are heavy and readily broken, so that plastic lenses are now mainly used in compliance with the demand for safety and light-weight lenses.
• color change is caused even at the inner part thereof. This nature makes a difference in apparent color density between those parts of the lens which are different in thickness; lenses with such a difference are unnatural to look at.
• a photochromic plastic lens is prepared by mixing a photochromic compound into a resin suitable for lenses, and subjecting the mixture to molding.
• Various photochromic compounds to be incorporated into a resin have been proposed.
• Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 161286/1986 discloses a spirooxazine compound
• Japanese Patent Publication No. 43315/1991 discloses a photo-reversibly changeable composition containing a spirooxazine photo-reversibly changeable composition and a hindered amine light stabilizer.
• Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 121188/1991 discloses a photochromic composition which comprises chromene or a derivative thereof, a fulgide compound or a fulgimide compound and an ultraviolet stabilizer, and which changes to a color such as gray, amber or brown.
• Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 233079/1986 discloses a specific spirooxazine compound, and a resin obtained by dissolving this compound in methyl methacrylate, and subjecting the mixture to cast polymerization is illustrated in this Publication.
• photochromic resins monomer species which can be used for the production of photochromic resins are limited. Therefore, it is hardly avoidable that the physical properties such as specific gravity, mechanical strength and refraction index other than the photochromic properties are sacrificed.
• many of the photochromic compounds which are changeable to a quiet color such as gray or brown are not durable. Therefore, it has been difficult to obtain photochromic resins which can be put into practical use by using such photochromic compounds.
• a photochromic lens having excellent light resistance cannot be obtained by the combination use of allyl diglycol carbonate, which is widely used for producing lenses for spectacles, and a photochromic compound of the above type.
• an object of the present invention is to provide a photochromic composition capable of providing a photochromic resin which is excellent in various properties.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a photochromic resin which is excellent in various properties.
• a photochromic composition of the present invention which is capable of being a photochromic resin when polymerized and which comprises:
• photochromic resin which comprises a polymer of the above photochromic composition of the present invention.
• an alkyl group, or an alkyl group as a part of a certain group may be either of straight chain or of branched chain.
• a halogen atom means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, unless otherwise noted.
• a halogenoalkyl group means an alkyl group in which one or more hydrogen atoms are substituted with a halogen atom.
• the photochromic composition according to the present invention comprises a di(meth)acrylate compound (component (a)) represented by the formula (I), and a photochromic compound (component (b)).
• the composition "comprising" the components (a) and (b) herein includes a composition consisting of the components (a) and (b), and a composition containing the components (a) and (b) and a third component other than the components (a) and (b).
• the third component include a monomer other than the component (a), an ultraviolet stabilizer, a polymerization initiator (the details thereof will be described later).
• the di(meth)acrylate compound for use in the present invention is the compound represented by the formula (I) in which acrylic or methacrylic acids are combined with thioether chain, and in which the thioether chain has therein a phenylene group which is nuclear-substituted with a halogen atom or non-substituted.
• the photochromic resin according to the present invention has excellent photochromic properties, and is characterized in that the photochromic properties last for a long period of time. Furthermore, the photochromic composition according to the present invention is advantageous in that it can provide a photochromic resin having a high refraction index, from which light-weight, thin lenses can be obtained.
• the photochromic composition and resin according to the present invention have not only excellent photochromic properties which are required essentially but also excellent moldability and high adhesion to a hard coat, and, at the same time, can have a high refraction index.
• two R1s are independently, that is, they may be the same or different, represent hydrogen atom or methyl group. Therefore, in the present invention, the term "di(meth)acrylate compound" is used to collectively indicate a compound in which both of two R1s represent methyl group, dimethacrylate compound, a compound in which both of two R1s represent hydrogen atom, diacrylate compound, and, in addition to these compounds, a compound in which one of two R1s represents methyl group and the other one represents hydrogen atom.
• the thioether chain can be attached to the phenylene group at any of the o-, m- and p-positions.
• the m- or p-position is typical and preferred.
• Rs and R3s be an alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
• Ethylene and propylene are particularly preferable as R, and methylene and ethylene are particularly preferable as R3.
• X is chlorine, bromine or iodine atom.
• Preferable X is bromine.
• the number of X, i.e., m is from 0 to 4, preferably from 0 to 2.
• di(meth)acrylate compound represented by the formula (I), suitably used in the present invention include the following compounds:
• the di(meth)acrylate compound represented by the formula (I) can be used as the monomer.
• other polymerizable monomers can also be used along with the di(meth)acrylate compound.
• Examples of the monomer to be used along with the compound (I) include a monomer which can be a homopolymer having a high refraction index of 1.55 or more, and a monomer which can be a homopolymer having a medium or low refraction index of less than 1.55.
• any monomer can be used without any limitation as long as it is not contrary to the purpose of the present invention.
• Examples of the monomer which can be a homopolymer having a refraction index of 1.55 or more include mono(meth)acrylate compounds represented by the following general formula (II): wherein
• the combination use of the mono(meth)acrylate compound of the formula (II) with the compound of the formula (I) is preferable because it brings about a resin having a high refraction index and improved mechanical strength.
• Specific examples of the mono(meth)-acrylate compound include phenyl (meth)acrylate, benzyl (meth)acrylate, 2-phenoxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 1,3,5-tribromophenyl (meth)acrylate and 2-(1',3',5'-tribromophenyl)-oxyethyl (meth)acrylate.
• the combination use of the di(meth)acrylate compound represented by the formula (III) with the compound of the formula (I) is preferable because it brings about a resin having a high refraction index, improved heat resistance and increased mechanical strength.
• Specific examples of the di(meth)acrylate compound include 2,2'-bis[4-(methyl-acryloyloxyethoxy)phenyl]propane, and 2,2'-bis[(3,5-dibromo-4-methacryloyloxyethoxy)phenyl]-propane.
• Examples of the monomer which can be a homopolymer having a refraction index of less than 1.55 include mono(meth)acrylate compounds represented by the formula (IV) or (V): wherein
• the combination use of the mono(meth)acrylate compound of the formula (IV) with the compound of the formula (I) is advantageous because it brings about a resin having improved photochromic color change properties and enhanced durability in the photochromic properties.
• Specific examples of the compound (IV) include methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, n-propyl (meth)acrylate, isopropyl (meth)acrylate, n-butyl (meth)acrylate, isobutyl (meth)acrylate and t-butyl (meth)acrylate.
• Methyl (meth)acrylate and ethyl (meth)acrylate are more preferable from the view points of the improvement in the strength of the resin composition and the durability in the photochromic properties.
• the combination use of the mono(meth)acrylate compound of the formula (V) with the compound of the formula (I) is advantageous because it brings about a resin improved in moldability, low water absorption, heat resistance, impact resistance and mechanical strength.
• the alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 16 carbon atom represented by R10 in the formula (V) is preferably a monocyclic ring having 5 to 8 carbon atoms, or a crosslinked ring having 6 to 12 carbon atoms (for example, norbornyl group, adamantyl group, and isobornyl).
• One or more hydrogen atoms contained in these alicyclic hydrocarbon groups may be substituted.
• substituents examples include hydroxyl; substituted amino such as methylamino and dimethylamino; C1 ⁇ 4 alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy and t-butoxy; C1 ⁇ 15 aralkoxy such as benzyloxy; C1 ⁇ 16 aryloxy such as phenoxy and 1-naphthoxy; C1 ⁇ 4 alkyl such as methyl, ethyl and t-butyl; halogen such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine; cyano; carboxyl; C2 ⁇ 10 alkoxycarbonyl such as ethoxycarbonyl; C1 ⁇ 2 halogenoalkyl such as trifluoromethyl; nitro; aryl such as phenyl and tolyl; and aralkyl such as benzyl, phenylethyl and phenylpropyl.
• the compound (V) include cyclopentyl (meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, methylcyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, trimethylcyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, norbornyl (meth)acrylate, isobornyl (meth)acrylate, adamantyl (meth)acrylate, dicyclopentanyl (meth)acrylate and dicyclopentenyl (meth)acrylate.
• cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate norbornyl (meth)acrylate, isobornyl (meth)acrylate, adamantyl (meth)acrylate and dicyclopentanyl (meth)acrylate are preferred.
• the di(meth)acrylate compound the formula (VI) has crosslinking properties, and the combination use of this compound with the compound of the formula (I) is advantageous because it brings about a resin having improved mechanical strength.
• the number "n" for the ethylene or propylene glycol in the compound is from 1 to 10, and n of 3 to 5 is particularly preferred from the viewpoints of the heat resistance, brittleness and water absorption of the resin.
• the other monomers can be used either singly or in combination of two or more selected from any one of the groups and/or from among the groups.
• the amount of each monomer component can be suitably selected in consideration of the type of the monomer used and the combination of the monomers.
• the amount of the di(meth)acrylate compound of the formula (I) is, in general, preferably 20% by weight or more, more preferably from 20 to 70% by weight of the total amount of the monomers used.
• the refraction index of the resulting resin it is preferable to control the refraction index of the resulting resin to 1.54 or more by adjusting the amount of the monomer which can be a homopolymer having a refraction index of 1.55 or more. Further, when a monomer which can be a homopolymer having a refraction index of less than 1.55 is used along with the compound of the formula (I), it is preferable from the viewpoint of refraction index that the di(meth)acrylate compound of the formula (I) be used in an amount of 40% by weight or more of the total amount of the monomers used.
• the amount of the compound (II) is preferably from 5 to 40% by weight of the total amount of the monomers for improving the mechanical strength and the heat resistance of the resin.
• the amount of the compound (III) is preferably from 5 to 40% by weight of the total amount of the monomers for improving the mechanical strength of the resin and the adhesion of a coat film.
• the amount of the compound (IV) is preferably from 5 to 30% by weight of the total amount of the monomers for improving the photochromical color change properties and the durability of the resin and the polymerization-molding properties. Further, in the case where the mono(meth)acrylate represented by the formula (V) is used along with the compound (I), the amount of the compound (V) is preferably from 5 to 30% by weight of the total amount of the monomers for improving the mechanical strength of the resin and the durability in the photochromic properties.
• the amount of the compound (VI) is preferably from 5 to 40% by weight of the total amount of the monomers for improving the mechanical strength of the resin and the photochromical color change properties.
• any photochromic compound can be used as the photochromic compound without any limitation.
• An advantage of the use of the compound (I) is such that basically any photochromic compound can be used in combination with the compound (I).
• the compound which is not highly dependent on temperature and is capable to change to gray or brown is preferred when excellent color changing properties and durability in a resin composition are needed and the spectacles are intended as a final product.
• Particularly preferable examples of the photochromic compound include one or more compounds selected from spirooxazine, fulgide and fulgimide compounds, which can change to blue to orange. Further, chromene compounds which can change to orange to yellow is also preferably used. Any of these photochromic compounds when used in combination with the compound (I) shows excellent color change properties and durability in a resin composition.
• photochromic compounds can be used either singly or in combination of two or more.
• a half tone such as gray or brown can be attained by blending a spirooxazine, fulgide or fulgimide compound which can change to blue to orange, and a chromene compound which can change to orange to yellow.
• the photochromic compound can be blended with the compound (I) at any ratio as long as the amount of the photochromic compound is enough to impart photochromic properties to the resulting photochromic resin.
• the amount of the photochromic compound is preferably from 0.01 to 5 parts by weight, more preferably from 0.1 to 1 part by weight for 100 parts by weight of the di(meth)acrylate represented by the formula (I).
• the ratio of the photochromic compound is in the above range, an excellent and stable durability in the photochromic properties can be obtained. Further, such a phenomenon as the coagulation of the photochromic compound can be effectively prevented.
• hydrocarbon represented by R11 is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group having 7 to 14 carbon atoms.
• alkyl group include methyl, ethyl and isopropyl.
• aryl group include phenyl and naphthyl.
• aralkyl group include benzyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl and naphthylmethyl.
• the alkoxyl group contained in the alkoxycarbonylalkyl group represented by R11 is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
• the alkylene group contained in the alkoxycarbonylalkyl group is preferably an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
• alkoxycarbonylalkyl group examples include methoxycarbonylmethyl, methoxycarbonylethyl, methoxycarbonylpropyl , ethoxycarbonylmethyl, ethoxycarbonylethyl, ethoxycarbonylbutyl and butoxycarbonylethyl.
• the halogen atom represented by R1 and R13 is preferably chlorine or bromine.
• the hydrocarbon group represented by R1 and R13 include those hydrocarbon groups which are described as the examples of R11.
• the alkoxyl group represented by R1 and R13 is preferably an alkoxyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkoxyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of this alkoxyl group include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy and butoxy.
• the alkyl part of the halogenoalkyl group represented by R1 and R13 is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
• halogenoalkyl group examples include trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl and tribromomethyl.
• alkoxycarbonyl group represented by R1 and R13 an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms is preferred.
• alkoxycarbonyl group examples include methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl and butoxycarbonyl.
• R14 and R15 are hydrogen, halogen, hydrocarbon or alkoxyl.
• halogen atom, hydrocarbon group and alkoxyl group include those atoms and groups which are described as the examples of R1 and R13.
• the compounds represented by the formula (VII) can be used either singly or in combination of two or more.
• the compounds represented by the formula (VII) are known compounds, and described, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 112777/1993.
• Preferable examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon group represented by the ring formed with Y in the general formula (VIII) include a benzene ring, and a condensed ring of two or three benzene rings. Specific examples of this aromatic hydrocarbon group include benzene, naphthalene, phenanthrene and anthracene rings having 6 to 10 carbon atoms.
• Preferable examples of the unsaturated heterocyclic ring represented by the ring formed with Y include 5-, 6- and 7-membered rings containing one or two oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms, and a condensed ring of the 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring and benzene ring. Specific examples of the unsaturated heterocyclic ring include furan, benzofuran, pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, pyrrole, thiophene and benzothiophene rings having 4 to 9 carbon atoms.
• One or more hydrogen atoms on these rings may be substituted.
• the substituent include a halogen atom; an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as methyl or ethyl; an alkoxyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as methoxy or ethoxy; an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, tolyl or xylyl; an alkoxyaryl group having 7 to 14 carbon atoms (an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, substituted with an alkoxyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms); amino group; nitro group; and cyano group.
• the alkyl, aryl and heterocyclic groups represented by R16 in the formula (VIII) are preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and a 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring having one or two oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms, or a condensed ring of this 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring and benzene as described in the definition of the ring formed with Y, respectively.
• Examples of the alkyl and aryl groups represented by R17 in the formula (VIII) include those described as the examples of the above R10.
• the alkylene group represented by A1, A and A3 is preferably methylene, ethylene, propylene, trimethylene or tetramethylene having 1 to 4 carbon atoms
• the alkylidene group represented by A1, A and A3 is preferably ethylidene, propylidene or isopropylidene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms.
• the cycloalkylene group and the alkylcycloalkane-diyl group represented by A1, A and A3 are preferably cyclohexylene and dimethylcyclohexane-diyl, respectively.
• Examples of the alkyl group represented by R18 in the formula (VIII) include those alkyl groups described as the examples of the above R16, and the naphthylalkyl group represented by R18 is preferably naphthylmethyl or naphthylethyl having 11 to 14 carbon atoms.
• the cyanoalkyl group represented by R is preferably a cyanoalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms (i.e., cyanoC1 ⁇ 3alkyl).
• the nitroalkyl group represented by R is preferably a nitroalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
• the alkoxycarbonylalkyl group represented by R is preferably an alkoxycarbonylalkyl group having 3 to 9 carbon atoms (i.e., comprising an alkoxyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms).
• a compound in which R16 is alkyl and X is a group >N-R is more preferable in view of the durability in the photochromic action.
• another preferred compound is a compound in which the ring formed with Z is adamantylidene and the ring formed with Y is a heterocyclic, in particular, thiophene group, which may be substituted with aryl having 6 to 10 carbon atoms or alkoxyaryl having 7 to 14 carbon atoms (i.e., aryl having 6 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with alkoxyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms).
• the compound represented by the formula (VIII) can be used either singly or in combination of two or more.
• the compound represented by the formula (VIII) is known and described, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 52778/1989.
• any of the spirooxazine compounds for example, compounds of the formula (VII)
• the fulgide and fulgimide compounds for example, compounds of the general formula (VIII)
• the fulgide and fulgimide compounds are more preferable in view of color change properties, color-fading properties and temperature dependency.
• the chromene compound can generally change to orange to yellow, and also can change to a half tone such as gray or brown when blended with the spirooxazine compound or the fulgide or fulgimide compound.
• the alkyl group represented by R0, R1, R and R3 is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
• the aryl group represented by R0, R1, R and R3 is preferably an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, tolyl or xylyl.
• the substituted amino group represented by R0, R1, R and R3 is preferably amino group in which one or more hydrogen atoms are substituted by the above alkyl or aryl.
• Examples of the saturated heterocyclic group represented by R0, R1, R and R3 include monovalent groups derived from a 5- or 6-membered ring containing one or two nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atoms, such as pyrrolidine, imidazolidine, piperidine, piperazine and morpholine.
• the ring formed by R and R3 is preferably norbornylidene or bicyclo(3,3,1)9-nonylidene.
• Examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon group represented by the ring formed with Y in the formula (IX) include a benzene ring, and a condensed ring of 2 or 3 benzene rings. Specific examples of this aromatic hydrocarbon group include benzene, naphthalene, phenanthrene and anthracene rings having 6 to 14 carbon atoms.
• Preferable examples of the unsaturated heterocyclic ring represented by the ring formed with Y include 5-, 6- and 7-membered rings having one or two oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur, and a condensed ring of the 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring and benzene. Specific examples of the unsaturated heterocyclic ring include furan, benzofuran, pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, pyrrole, thiophene and benzothiophene rings having 4 to 9 carbon atoms.
• One or more hydrogen atoms on the above rings may be substituted.
• the substituent include a halogen atom; an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as methyl or ethyl; an alkoxyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as methoxy or ethoxy; an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, tolyl or xylyl; amino; nitro; and cyano.
• a more preferable compound is one in which both R0 and R1 are hydrogen, R and R3, which may be the same or different, are an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or combined together to form bicyclo(3,3,1)9-nonylidene or norbornylidene, and the ring formed with Y is naphthalene which may be substituted by an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an alkoxyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.
• the compounds represented by the formula (IX) can be used either singly or in combination of two or more.
• the compound represented by the formula (IX) is known, and described, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 121,188/1991.
• the ultraviolet stabilizer include hindered amine light stabilizers, hindered phenol antioxidants, phosphite antioxidants and thioether antioxidants. It is particularly preferable to use at least one hindered amine light stabilizer and at least one phosphite antioxidant in combination.
• hindered amine light stabilizer examples include bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, 1-[2-[3-(3, 5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionyloxy]ethyl]-4-[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionyloxy]2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 8-benzyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-3-octyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4,5]undecane-2,4-dione, 4-benzoyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-methacryloyloxy-piperazine and 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-methacryloyloxy-piperazine.
• hindered amine light stabilizer examples include a hindered amine light stabilizer represented by the following formula (X): wherein all of R4, R5, R6 and R7 are 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-methacryloyloxy-piperidyl group.
• Other examples include:
• hindered amine light stabilizer examples include those represented by the following formula (XI): wherein n is an integer of 1 to 5, W represents a tetravalent group represented by the following formula (XII): where R8s independently represent 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-methacryloyloxy-piperidyl group or 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-methacryloyloxy-piperidyl group.
• phosphite antioxidant examples include tridecyl phosphite, triphenyl phosphite, octyldiphenyl phosphite, decyldiphenyl phosphite, didecylphenyl phosphite, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite, 4,4'-isopropylidene- diphenolalkyl phosphite (the number of carbon atoms contained in the alkyl group being from 12 to 15), hydrogenated bisphenol-pentaerythritol phosphite polymer and hydrogenated bisphenol A-phosphite polymer.
• the amount of the ultraviolet stabilizer is preferably in the range of 0.001 to 2 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the monomers and the photochromic compound.
• a photochromic resin of the present invention can be obtained by subjecting the photochromic composition of the present invention to polymerization which is conducted under such conditions that the monomers (the component (a) and other monomers) can be polymerized.
• the method of polymerization hardening It can be suitably selected in consideration of the intended use of the photochromic resin to be obtained. Further, the method of molding can also be selected in the same manner.
• a photochromic composition of the present invention comprising an ultraviolet stabilizer and a polymerization initiator may be poured into a mold made of two sheets of mirror-polished glass with a gasket made of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and polymerized by heating to obtain a molded product. Thereafter, the molded product may be shaped into a lens by polishing.
• Examples of the polymerization initiator which can be favorably used for the hardening conducted in this embodiment include various radical polymerization initiators.
• Specific examples of such initiators include benzoyl peroxide, t-butyl-oxy-2-ethyl hexanoate, t-butyl peroxypivalate, t-butyl peroxyisobutylate, t-butyl peroxyneodecanoate, t-butyl peroxyisopropylcarbonate, lauroyl peroxide, azobisiso-butylonitrile and azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile). These initiators can be used either singly or in combination of two or more.
• a polymerization modifier may also be used in addition to the polymerization initiator.
• the polymerization modifier include normaldodecylmercaptan, normaloctylmercaptan, thioglycerol, and alpha-methylstyrene dimer.
• the alpha-methylstyrene dimer is particularly preferred because the thiol compound sometimes accelerates the deterioration of the photochromic compound, which is caused during the polymerization of the photochromic composition, or after color change is conducted repeatedly.
• the acceptable amount of the polymerization initiator is approximately 0.001 to 5 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the monomers and the photochromic compound.
• the acceptable amount of the polymerization modifier is also the same as the above.
• an adhesion-imparting agent may also be added in order to enhance the adhesion between the resin and the mold at the time of the polymerization hardening.
• this adhesion-imparting agent include glycidyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate.
• the preferable amount of the adhesion-imparting agent is approximately 0.001 to 10 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the monomers used.
• the hardening of the composition of the present invention can also be conducted by using a photo-setting type polymerization initiator along with the above polymerization initiator, and applying light and heat in combination.
• a photo-setting type polymerization initiator along with the above polymerization initiator, and applying light and heat in combination.
• the time for applying light is too long, the photochromic compound undergoes deterioration, and the mechanical strength of the resin tends to be lowered. It is therefore preferable that light be applied until the resin is gelled and that heat be utilized to completely harden the resin.
• the glass-made mold not only the glass-made mold but also a mold made of glass and a plastic plate, glass and a metal plate, or a combination thereof can be used. Further, besides the thermoplastic resin, a polyester-made adhesive tape can also be used as the gasket.
• photochromic resin according to the present invention is used for purposes other than lenses
• polymerization and molding can be conducted in the above manner.
• the photochromic resin according to the present invention can be made into a thin and light-weight shape, and has excellent optical properties, it can be suitably used, in particular, for photochromic lenses.
• the photochromic resin of the invention When the photochromic resin of the invention is used for a lens, it is preferable to provide an antireflection film on the surface of the lens in order to increase the light transmission of the lens by preventing flickering which is caused by the light reflected on the surface of the lens. Further, in order to improve the adhesion between the lens base and the antireflection film and to protect the surface of the lens from being flawed, it is particularly preferable to provide a hard coat layer on the surface of the lens base.
• the photochromic resin according to the present invention is advantageous in that the adhesion to the hard coat layer is extremely high although the resin contains an aromatic ring.
• the hard coat layer include a layer obtained by applying a coating composition containing as its main components the following (a) and (b), and hardening the composition:
• the component (b) is effective to control the refraction index and to enhance the hardness of the hard coat layer.
• the compounds listed as the examples of the component (b) can be used either singly or in combination.
• a hard coat layer can be formed by using the component (b) only. In this case, however, there may be a case where film-forming properties cannot be fully obtained.
• a hard coat layer which is transparent and strong can be obtained by the combination use of the component (a) and the component (b).
• the component (a) can be used as it is, it is preferable to use the component after subjected to hydrolysis because such a compound can provide a film having improved water resistance and hardness.
• the preferable thickness of the hard coat layer is, in general, approximately 0.2 to 10 ⁇ m, and the more preferable thickness is approximately 1 to 3 ⁇ m.
• a primer layer between the lens base and the hard coat layer.
• the primer layer improves the impact resistance of the lens and ensures the adhesion of the hard coat to the lens.
• This primer layer can be obtained by coating any of the following coating compositions, followed by drying.
• Specific examples of the coating composition for forming the primer layer include a composition comprising urethane resin, acryl resin or epoxy resin.
• the hard coat layer and the primer layer can be formed in the following manner: starting materials for the layer are diluted with a suitable alcoholic or aqueous solvent, and the dilution is coated by a conventional coating method such as dipping, spin or spray coating, and then hardened by heating.
• the hardening can be conducted by simply heating the layer coated. It is however preferable to add a suitable hardening catalyst because a hard film can be obtained in a shorter time by the addition of such a catalyst.
• the hardening catalyst include perchlorates such as magnesium perchlorate and ammonium perchlorate, and chelate compounds such as aluminum acetylacetonate.
• the hard coat layer excellent film properties can be fully obtained by using the components (a) and (b) only. However, it is possible to add other components in order to improve the appearance of the hard coat layer, or to impart durability or other functions to the layer.
• polyhydric alcohols examples include bifunctional alcohols such as (poly)ethylene glycol, (poly)propylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, catechol, resorcinol and alkane diol; trifunctional alcohols such as grycerol and trimethylolpropane; and polyvinyl alcohol.
• polyvalent carboxylic acid examples include malonic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, maleic acid, o-phthalic acid, terephthalic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid and oxalacetic acid.
• polyvalent carboxylic anhydride examples include succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, 1,2-dimethylmaleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, hexahydrophthalic anhydride and naphthalic anhydride.
• Examples of the epoxy compound include diglycidyl ethers of bifunctional alcohols such as (poly)ethylene glycol, (poly)propylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, catechol, resorcinol and alkane diol, and di- or triglycidyl ethers of trifunctional alcohols such as glycerol and trimethylolpropane.
• diglycidyl ethers of bifunctional alcohols such as (poly)ethylene glycol, (poly)propylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, catechol, resorcinol and alkane diol
• di- or triglycidyl ethers of trifunctional alcohols such as glycerol and trimethylolpropane.
• an ultraviolet absorber in order to prevent the hard coat layer from undergoing deterioration by ultraviolet light, it is preferable to add an ultraviolet absorber, an antioxidant or a light stabilizer.
• the ultraviolet absorber, antioxidant and light stabilizer include compounds of salicylic acid ester type, benzophenone type, benzotriazole type, cyanoacrylate type, nickel complex salt type, phenol type and hindered amine type.
• a surface active agent or a flow-controlling agent it is preferable to use a surface active agent or a flow-controlling agent.
• a silicone- or fluorine-containing surface active agent is effective.
• the photochromic lens it is possible to further improve the optical properties of the lens by providing an antireflection film on the surface of the hard coat layer.
• the antireflection film is well known in the art and is, for example, a multi-layered film obtainable by laminating those thin films which are different in refraction index.
• the antireflection film There is no particular limitation on the antireflection film as long as it can decrease the reflectivity of the lens.
• the film may be a single layer or laminated layers.
• the inorganic film may be made by, for example, vacuum deposition, ion plating and sputtering method.
• Specific examples of the inorganic compound include a metalic oxide or fluoride such as silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, cerium oxide, hafnium oxide or magnesium fluoride.
• the inorganic compound may be employed as mixtures.
• the organic film may be made by, for example, preparing an organic solution with a suitable viscosity of an organic compound to be a film such as natural resins or synthetic resin, applying the organic solution with spin method or dipping method to form a film, and then hardening the film with heat.
• the organic solution may include a metalic oxide such as silicon oxide, titanium oxide and zirconium oxide and fluoride.
• an antireflection film composed of a single layer or multiple layers made from an inorganic compound.
• the coating compositions used for forming hard coat layers and the primer compositions are prepared in the following manners:
• Coating compositions (b), (c) and (d) having a composition shown in Table 5 were respectively prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of Coating composition (a).
• Primer composition (b) A primer composition (“Crystal Coat CP-607" manufactured by Nippon ARC Co., Ltd.) was used as Primer composition (b).
• LA-63 hindered amine light stabilizer
• the pressure was then reduced to 50 mmHg, and deaeration was conducted for 10 minutes.
• the composition thus obtained was poured into a mold made of mirror-polished glass, with a gasket made from an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and maintained at a temperature of 35°C for 10 hours. Thereafter, the temperature was gradually raised from 35°C to 100°C over a period of 7 hours, and the composition was maintained at 100°C for two hours, thereby conducting molding.
• the lens was taken out from the mold, and heated at 100°C for 2 hours, thereby finishing the lens by annealing treatment.
• the lens thus produced was evaluated by the following tests. The results were as shown in Table 3.
• the refraction index of the lens was determined by an Abbe's refractometer, applying D-light of 589.3 nm.
• the lens was placed on a discoid plate having a thickness of 5 mm, and allowed to stand at 70°C for 3 days in 100% saturated vapor. An increase in the weight of the lens was measured.
• Tg of the lens under a load of 10 g was measured by a TMA tester.
• a steel ball was allowed to fall from the height of 127 cm on the center of a lens whose thickness at the center thereof was 1.5 mm. This was repeated five times by using five sheets of the lens. The average weight of the steel balls with which the lenses were broken or cracked was obtained by calculation.
• the modules of elasticity of the lens was measured in accordance with JIS K7203.
• a lens was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, by using a composition consisting of 100 g of the monomers shown in Table 1, 0.12 g of Compound S-a, 0.065 g of Compound C-a, and the same amounts of the ultraviolet stabilizer, the polymerization initiator, the polymerization modifier and the adhesion-imparting agent as in Example 1.
• Lenses were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, by using compositions each consisting of 100 g of the monomers shown in Table 1, and the same amounts of the photochromic compound, the ultraviolet stabilizer, the polymerization initiator and the polymerization modifier as in Example 1. The same tests for evaluation as in Example 1 were carried out to evaluate the lenses obtained. The results were as shown in Table 3.
• Lenses were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, by using compositions each consisting of 100 g of the monomers shown in Table 1, 0.12 of Compound S-a, 0.065 g of Compound C-b, and the same amounts of the ultraviolet stabilizer, the polymerization initiator, the polymerization modifier and the adhesion-imparting agent as in Example 1.
• a mixture of 100 g of CR 39 (diethylene glycol bisallylcarbonate), 0.06 g of Compound F-a, 0.06 g of Compound F-b, 0.065 g of Compound C-a, and 3 g of diisopropyl peroxydicarbonate were thoroughly stirred.
• the mixture was then poured into the same mold as in Example 1, and maintained at 45°C for 10 hours, at 60°C for 3 hours, at 80°C for 3 hours and at 95°C for 6 hours for molding.
• the lens was taken out from the mold, and heated at 120°C for one hour, thereby finishing the lens by annealing treatment.
• the lens thus obtained was evaluated by the same methods as in Example 1. The results were as shown in Table 4.
• Lenses were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, by using compositions each consisting of 100 g of the monomers shown in Table 2, and the same amounts of the photochromic compound, the ultraviolet stabilizer, the polymerization initiator and the polymerization modifier as in Example 1.
• Example 1 The lens prepared in Example 1 was dipped in Coating composition (a), and pulled out at a speed of 20 cm/minute, thereby coating the lens with the composition. The lens was then heated at 130°C for 1.5 hours, thereby drying the coated layer to form a hard coat layer.
• the photochromic lens thus obtained was evaluated by the following tests. The results were as shown in Table 6.
• a test was carried out by the cross-cut tape method in accordance with JIS K5400.
• the percentage of the hard coat layer remaining on the surface of the lens was indicated by such a score that is given every 10% of the percentage, i.e., when the percentage is from 91 to 100%, the score given is 10, when the percentage is from 81 to 90%, the score given is 9, and so forth.
• the lens was placed in a thermoplastic chamber kept at a temperature of 20°C, Light was applied to the lens from a distance of 15 cm by using an artificial sunshine lamp ("XC-100" manufactured by Serick Co., Ltd.) for 5 minutes, whereby the lens was allowed to develop a color.
• the absorbances at a wavelength shown in Table 6 before and after the color change were referred to as A0 and A5, respectively, and a color density was obtained as the difference between A5 and A0 (A5 - A0).
• Compound S-a has the maximum absorption wavelength at 595 nm. Further, 580 nm is the maximum absorption wavelength of Compounds F-a and F-b, and 440 nm is that of Compounds C-a and C-b.
• the fatigue life of the lens was measured by a xenon long-life fadeometer "FAL-25Ax-HC" manufactured by Suga Test Instruments Co., Ltd.
• the fatigue life T 1/2 is indicated by a time required for the absorbance at the maximum absorption wavelength of Compound S-a, F-a, F-b or C-a to become 1/2 of the initial (T0) absorbance.
• both the absorbance at T0 and the absorbance at T1/2 are the values obtained by subtracting the absorbance of the lens which is not exposed to light.
• Example 9 The lens obtained in Example 9 was dipped in Primer composition (a), and pulled out at a speed of 10 cm/minute, thereby coating the lens with the composition. The lens was then heated at 60°C for 0.5 hours to form a primer layer. Coating composition (a) shown in Table 5 was further coated onto this primer layer, and the same antireflection film as in Example 11 was provided thereon to obtain a lens of Example 19.
• Example 10 The lens obtained in Example 10 was dipped in Primer composition (b), and pulled out at a speed of 15 cm/minute, thereby coating the lens with the composition. The lens was then heated at 90°C for 0.5 hours to form a primer layer. Coating composition (a) shown in Table 5 was further coated onto this primer layer, and the same antireflection film as in Example 11 was provided thereon to obtain a lens of Example 20.

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